Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CYNTHIADES: TO CYNTHIA (1), by FRANCIS KYNASTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CYNTHIADES: TO CYNTHIA (1), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Learn'd lapidaries say the diamond
Last Line: As make them think thee angel without sex.
Subject(s): Love


LEARN'D lapidaries say the diamond
Bred in the mines and mountains of the East,
Mixt with heaps of gold-ore is often found,
In the half-bird's half-beast's, the Griphon's, nest,
Is first pure water easy to be prest,
Then ice, then crystal, which great length of time
Doth to the hardest of all stones sublime.

I think they say the truth, for it may be,
And what they of the diamond have said,
My brightest Cynthia, may be prov'd by thee,
Who having liv'd so long, so chaste a maid,
Thy heart with any diamond being weigh'd,
Is harder found, and colder than that stone,
Thy first year's virgin-softness being gone.

For now it is become impenetrable,
And he that will, or form, or cut it, must
(If he to purchase such a gem be able)
Use a proportion of thy precious dust,
Although the valuation be unjust:
That pains which men to pierce it must bestow,
Will equal dear in price unto it grow.

But thou, it may be, wilt make this profession,
That diamonds are soft'ned with goats' blood,
And mollified by it will take impression.
This of slain lovers must be understood:
But trust me, dearest Cynthia, 'tis not good,
Thy beauties so should lovers' minds perplex,
As make them think thee Angel without sex.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net